Girard Trust Bank v. Easton, 688SC242

• Decision Date: 15 January 1969
• Docket Number: No. 688SC242,688SC242
• Citation: 3 N.C.App. 414,165 S.E.2d 252
• Court: North Carolina Court of Appeals
• Parties: GIRARD TRUST BANK, v. F. E. EASTON.

Page 252

165 S.E.2d 252

3 N.C.App. 414

GIRARD TRUST BANK, v. F. E. EASTON.

No. 688SC242.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

Jan. 15, 1969.

Dees, Dees, Smith & Powell, by William L. Powell, Jr., Goldsboro, for plaintiff appellee.

Braswell & Strickland by Roland C. Braswell and David M. Rouse, Goldsboro, for defendant appellant.

MALLARD, Chief Judge.

Ordinarily, Rule 4(b) of the Rules of Practice in the Court of Appeals of North Carolina precludes an appeal 'from an order striking or denying a motion to strike allegations contained in pleadings.' However, when a motion to strike an Entire further answer or defense is granted, an immediate appeal is available since such motion is in substance a demurrer. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., 1 N.C.App. 9, 159 S.E.2d 268. Likewise, where a motion to strike allegations and a prayer for relief relating to punitive damages is granted, the order is treated as a demurrer for failure to allege facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, and an immediate appeal is available. King v. Insurance Co., 273 N.C. 396, 159 S.E.2d 891. In the case of Sharpe v. Pugh, 270 N.C. 598, 155 S.E.2d 108, Justice Bobbitt said:

'Even so, since plaintiff was entitled to appeal as a matter of right from the portion of the order which in effect sustained a demurrer to the alleged cause of action for personal injuries, that is, pain and suffering, the entire case is before us; * * *.'

The exceptions taken by the defendant are properly before us. Cecil v. High Point, Thomasville & Denton R.R., 266 N.C. 728, 147 S.E.2d 223.

In the first further answer defendant makes allegations concerning conduct of New Mobile Homes, Inc., which is not a party to this cause of action. These are irrelevant and were properly stricken. In the first, second, and third further answers defendant, using several paragraphs to do so, alleges in substance that the plaintiff and not the defendant breached the contracts. These were properly stricken. The rule is stated in the case of Chandler v. Mashburn, 233 N.C. 277, 63 S.E.2d 553, as follows:

'The plea of denial controverts and raises an issue of fact between the parties as to each material allegation denied, and forces the plaintiff to prove them. That is all that is required of the defendant to admit of presentation of his defense. McIntosh N.C.P. & P. 461. In such case the defendant may show any facts which go to deny the existence of the controverted facts. Brown v Hall, 226 N.C. 732, 40 S.E.2d 412. Hence, averments narrating evidence which defendant contends sustains his denial of the controverted facts are irrelevant as pleading, and have no place in the answer.

And upon motion of any party aggrieved, aptly made, the court may strike out irrelevant or redundant matter inserted in a pleading. G.S. 1--153. Revis v. (City of) Asheville, 207 N.C. 237, 176 S.E. 738.'

In the first, second, and third further answers appear allegations which in substance attempt to assert a cause of action for punitive damages. In the prayer for relief there appears a request that the defendant be allowed punitive damages.

These allegations are proper only if defendant is able to allege a cause of action for punitive damages for the plaintiff's alleged breach of contract. In King v. Insurance Co., supra, we find the following language:

'With the exception of a breach of promise to marry, punitive damages are not given for breach of contract. (citations omitted) An apparent exception to this rule is found in cases where such damages have been allowed for a breach of duty to serve the public by a common carrier or other public utility. (citations omitted) In those instances, there is frequently a contractual relationship between the parties, but the award of punitive damages is upon the ground that the carrier or utility has violated a duty imposed upon it by law to serve those who apply. * * *

The allegations in the complaint that the breach of contract by the defendant was 'wilful', 'intentional,' in 'wanton disregard of the rights of the plaintiff' and 'calculated * * * to hamper, prevent and impair the plaintiff's legal position' * * * do not give rise to a cause of action sounding in tort and, therefore, do not constitute allegations of fact which if proved, would subject the defendant to liability for punitive damages.

There was, therefore, no basis alleged in the complaint for an award of punitive damages. The striking of the allegations with reference to such award and the prayer therefor did not in any way impair the right of action alleged in the remaining portions of the complaint for the recovery of compensatory damages arising from the alleged breach of contract by the defendant.'

We are of the opinion that the combined allegations in these further answers do not give rise to a cause of action sounding in tort and, therefore, do not constitute allegations of fact which, if proved, would subject the plaintiff to liability for punitive damages. We hold that the trial judge was correct in ordering stricken all allegations relating to the award of punitive damages found in the first three further...